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HISTORICAL SOCIETY 



OF^NEW MEXICO. 

No. 11. 



THE 

CALIFORNIA COLUMN, 



Its Campaig-ns and Services in New Mexico, Ari- 
zona and Texas, During- the Civil War, with 
Sketches of Brigadier General James 
H. Carleton, It's Commander, and 
Other Officers and 
Soldiers. 



SANTA FE, N. M. 

Nkw Mexican Pbintin(; Company, 

1908. 



C^ 



a. 






In Exchange 

Brown University 
MAR 1 2 1935 



e 



OFFICERS 

OF THE 

HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF NEW MEXICO. 

1908. 

President Hon. L. Bradford Prince. LL. D. 

Vice President Hon. William J. Mills 

Pvecording- Secretary William M. Berger 

Corresponding Secretary Ernest A. Johnston 

Treasurer Max. Frost 

Curator Henry Woodruff 



LIFE MEMBERS. 



1881 
William G. Ritch.* 

1883 
L. Bradford Prince, LL. D. 

1885 
William W. Griffin.* 

1887 
Francisco A. Manzanares.* 

1889 
L. P. Browne.* 
Jefferson Raynolds. 
Ruel M. Johnson.* 
William A. Vincent. 
Wilson Waddingham.* 
Mariauo S. Otero.* 
Nicolas T. Armijo.* 
Angus A. Grant.* 
Joshua S. Raynolds, 
Wm. C. Hazeldine.* 
Numa Reymond. 
Russell Marcv. 

1890 
Pedro Y. Jaramillo.* 
•lose E. Chaves. 
Samuel P. Foster.* 
Gustav Billing.* 
Eutimio Montoya. 
Thomas B. Catron. 
J. Pablo Gallegos.* 



1890 
Charles H. Gildersleeve. 
Mariano Barela.* 
C. H. Dane. 
Walter C. Hadlev.* 

1891 
H. B. Fergusson. 
Charles B. Eddy. 
Abram Staab. 
W. A. Hawkins. 
Mrs. Louisa Bristol. 
Frank Springer. 
Rufus J. Palen. 

1892 
William T. Thornton. 
Richard Mansfield White. 

1895 
Thomas Lowthian.* 

1896 
Antonio Joseph. 
Felipe Chaves.* 
Henry C. Carter. 

1902 
William M. Berger. 
Solomon Spiegelberg'. 

1907 
Felix Martinez. 
Solomon Luna. 
Nestor Armijo. 



^Deceased. 



PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY. 

No. 1.— 1881— Inaugural Address of Hon. W. G. 

Ritch. 
No. 2.— 1882— "Kin and Clan," by Adolpli P. Ban- 

delier. 
No. 3.— 1896— "The Stone Idols of New Mexico." 

(Illustrated.) 
No. 4.— 1903— "The Stone Lions of Cochiti,'" by Hon. 

L Bradford Prince. 
No. 5. — 1904 — Biennial Report; English. 
No. b.- 1904 — Biennial Report. Spanish. 
No. 7.— 1906— "The Franciscan Martyrs of 1680." 
No. 8.— 1906— The Defeat of theComanches in 1715. 
No. 9.- 1907— Biennial Report. 
No. 10. — 1907 — Journal of New Mexico Convention of 

September, 1849. 
No. 11.— 1908— The California Column. 



THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 



Personal Reminiscences of its Harch From California 
to the Rio Grande and its Services in Arizona, 
New riexico and Texas, During tlie Civil War by 
Brevet Captain Geo. H. Pettis, ist Lieutenant ist 
California Volunteer Infantry, who served from 
— 1861, to February 15, 1865. 



Tmmediately after the first Ijattle of Bull Eun, July 
■^U]l, 18G1, Governor John G. Dowiiev, of California, re- 
ceived from the Secretary of War, Simon Cameron, a com- 
munication which said: "The War Department accepts, 
for three years, one regiment of infantry and five com- 
panies of cavalry, to guard the Overland Mail Route, from 
Carson Valley to Salt Lake City and Fort Laramie." This 
was the first official action towards organizing troops in 
California, and it required hut a short time to raise the 
required number of men, and as fast as the companies 
were mustered in, at the Presidio, near San Francisco, 
they were transported across the bay, to Camp Downey, 
n(ar where are now located the railroad shops, eastward 
of the j\Iolc. In tho meantime the government at Wash- 
ington had an insane idea of preparing an army, on the 
Pacific, to l)e composed principally of regulars, then 
stationed on the coast, and under the command of General 
E. Y. Sumner, who was in command of the Department 
of California, then ship them down the coast, to Mazatlan, 
where they were to disembark, and proceed overland, "to 
v^estern Texas, and regain the public property in that 
state, and draw off insurgent troops froni Arkansas, Mis- 
souri, etc." This movement was not to General Sum- 
ner's taste, although the governor had been directed to 
organize four more regiments of infantry, and one of cav- 
alry, to take the place of the regular troops that were to 
go on the Texas raid. 



6 THE CALIFOHNIA COLUMN. 

The First Infantry, with the battalion — five companies 
of the First Cavalry— were being well chilled and disci- 
plined at Camp Downey, when news was received at De- 
partment Headqnart^rs, that the Secessionists in the soutli 
part of the state were becoming turbulent, and more out- 
spoken, and on September ITth. General Sumner ordered 
Colonel Carleton's command to Southern California. The 
Texas raid was countermanded by the Washington authori- 
ties, and an order was issued for all the regulars to be 
sent by steamer to Xew York, as soon as they could 
be relieved by the volunteers, which movement was imme- 
diately imdertaken. 

The First California Infantry, under Colonel James 
H. Carletou, and the First California Cavalry, imder 
liieutenant Colonel Benjamin F. Davis, of the First U. 
S. Dragoons, had arrived at San Pedro, the sea-port of 
Los Angeles, and had marched some eighteen miles north 
01 that village, and laid out a camp for fifteen companies, 
near a small creek, about three miles east of where Santa 
Monica now is, and called it "Camp Latham,"' in honor 
of one of the senators from the state. When the order 
came for the relief of the regular troops. Major Edwin 
A. Riggs, of the First California Infantrv, was sent with 
several companies, to Fort Yuma. Some of the regulars 
were at Los Angeles, (at which point Captain Winfield 
Scott Hancock, afterwards Major General, was on duty as 
Captain and Assistant (Quartermaster), some of the regulars 
were at San Bernardino, and others were at San Diego. 
They were, however, all soon relieved, and rendezvoused 
at San Pedro for shipment to Xew York. 

The secession element in Southern California, upon 
the arrival of the volunteers, became less violent, and 
the effect of their arrival was salutary. On the 20th 
of October, General E. Y. Sumner was relieved of the com- 
mand of the Department of California, by Colonel George 
Wright, of the Twelfth I'. S. Infantry. Colonel Sumner was 
lost on the steamer Brother Jonathan, en route to Oregon. 
Some weeks later Colonel Wright was anxious for authority 
to throw troops into the St^te of Sonora. and indited sev- 
eral letters to the War Department for this purpose. Xo- 



THP] CALIFORNIA COLUMN. i 

vember 20tli, Colonel Carleton was called to San Francisco 
for the purpose of proceeding to and taking command of 
the troops on the overland route via Salt Lake City. 
While there, news was received of the invasion of New 
Mexico and Arizona, by General S. H. Sibley, with Texas 
troops. Wright and Carleton consulted on a plan to pro- 
ceed with a command through Arizona, and attack Sibley 
on his flank and rear. General Wright made this matter a 
subject of a communication to the AA'ar Department, under 
date of December 9th, 1861, in which he urged the im- 
portance of the movement and its feasibility, and at the 
same time, he reiterated the necessity of putting troops 
into Sonora. The latter proposition never received any 
support from the authorities at Washington, but, the move- 
ment through Arizona was immediately approved, and 
authorized by General McClellan, as soon as it was submit- 
ted to him. About this time, a number of prominent seces- 
sionists, who were anxious to go east, and show their devo- 
tion to the cause of the rebellion, organized a party in 
Southern California, and with one "Dan. Showalter'^ at 
their head, attempted to get out of the State, but were 
captured by a detachment of the First Infantry, and were 
taken, bag and baggage, and landed in Fort Yuma. Al- 
though this made a great deal of talk and noise at the 
time, the persons in sympathy with the rebellion throughout 
the State announcing that it was an infringement on 
the constitutional rights of the citizens to molest them 
when they were quietly proceeding along the highways, 
but these fellows were caught in the "chapparell," a long 
way from the road or trail, where thoy were trying to 
avoid the troops. Their incarceration was approved by 
the war department. 

The movement against the rebels, under Sildey, hav- 
ing been approved. Fort Yuma was made the starting 
point of the expedition, and troops were forwarded to 
that place with all promptitude, an intermediate camp 
having been nuide at Warner's Ranch, (a point about half 
way between Los Angeles and Fort Yuma), which was 
named "Cam]:) Wright,"' in honor of the General com- 
manding the Department. Supplies were Ixving rapidly 
pnsherl forward, hotli bv teams across tbe Colorado Desert, 



8 ' THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN, 

a.-: well as bv water up tlie Gulf of California and the Colo- 
rado River. 

The "Ca,lifornia Column'" originally consisted of the 
First California Infantry, ten companies, under the com- 
mand of Colonel James H. Carleton; First California Cav- 
alry, five companies, under couimand of Lieutenant Colo- 
nel E. E. Eyre, Lieutenant Colonel Davis having resigned 
and gone east, and who was killed at Beverlv Ford, Vir- 
ginia, June 9th, 1S63; Light Battery A, Tliird U. S. Ar- 
tillery, under the command of Lieutenant John B. Shinn, 
and Company B, Second California Cavalry, under the 
command of Captain John C. Cremoney. This command 
contained fifteen hundred men, well drilled, well discip- 
lined, and all eager to show what stuff they were made of. 
Later on the Fifth California Infantr\% under command of 
Colonel George W. Bowie, was added, which l)rought the 
command up to about 2,350 men, rank and file. The ad- 
vance guard' or detachment, left "Camp Latham" last, 
and consisted of Company C, Captain McMullin, and K, 
Captain Xicholas S. Davis, First Infantry, and Company 
B, Captain Charles A. Smith, and Company G. Cajitain 
Hugh L. Hinds, Fifth Infantry, and followed the route of 
those in the advance, to "Camp Wright." 

While these movements of the California troo])s were 
being made, General H. S. Sibley had arrived in New Mex- 
ico, with about ;),000 men, and had relieved Colonel Baylor 
from command. Colonel John R. Baylor had arrived in the 
territory about the 1st of July, 1861, with several hundred 
men of his regiment, the "Second Texas IMounted Eifics. 
Confederate States Army," and had announced himself 
as the Provisional Governor of New Mexico and Arizona. 

On July 25th, Major Isaac L\iide, Tth U. S. Infantry, 
who was in command of Fort Fillmore, which was about 
three miles east of La Mesilla, and all the Union forces 
south of the "Jornado del Muerto," proceeded to attack 
Baylor's forces at La Mesilla, and after a desultory as- 
s;udt upon the village, he (Lyndo) in the most cowardlv 
numner, returned to the adobe walls of Fort Fillmore, 
having had three men killed, and two officers and four 
nu-n wounded. On the morning of the 2Tth, Lyndo vaca- 
ted the fort, and commenced a retreat for Fort Stanton, 



THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 9 

liaving over five liuiidrecl men well equipped, armed and 
officered. As soon as Baylor learned of Lvnde's flight, 
lie pursued him, with less than three hundred poorly armed 
men, and overtaking him near San Agustin Springs, 
captured the whole party, which consisted of seven com- 
panies of the 7th U. S. Infantry, and three companies 
of the U. S. Mounted Eifles, without firing a shot. About 
this time, an indej^endent company of rebels was formed 
under the command of a Captain Hunter, who was ordered 
t > proceed to Tucson, and operate down the Gila river as 
far as Fort Yuma. Sibley had, soon after his arrival in 
the territory, gone up the Eio Grande to find General Can- 
by, as the latter would not go down the river, and finding 
Fort Craig too strong to attack, had avoided it, and 
crossed the river to the easterly side within two miles and 
in plain sight of Craig. His attem])ting to reach the 
river again to get water for his men and stock at Val- 
verde, just above the "Mesa de la Contedera," brought 
on the sanguinary struggle at Yalvordc, whicli took place 
on the 21st of Fel)ruarv, 18G2, and wliich was precipitated 
by that gallant soldier and estimable gentleman. Colonel 
Benjamin S. Roberts, United States Army. 

Early in April, the scouts brought in news to Fort 
Yuma, that the rebels had left Tucson and were on 
their way down the Gila ri\or. luiving captured Captain 
William McCleave and nine of his Company A. 1st Cavalry, 
who were scouting at ^Yhite"s ]\Iills, near tbe Pima Yil- 
lages; and sent them as prisoners to the Eio Grande. Mc- 
Cleave was soon paroled and returned to the column. A 
command under Captain William Calloway, consisting of 
his own Company I, 1st Infantry, a detachment of Company 
A^ 1st Cavalry, commanded by Lieutenant James Barrett, 
with Lieutenant E. C. Baldwin, Company D, 1st Cavalry, 
and a detachment of Coiiqiany K, 1st Infantry, under 
Lieutenant Jeremiah Plu'lan. with two mountain 
howitzers, were sent'"' out froin Fort Yuma, to 
proceed along the Overland Mail Eoute, with Tucson 
as the objective point. This command reached the Pima 
villages with no other signs of the rebels, than a number 
oi' burned bav stacks alonii' the wav. and in due time 



10 THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 

started from that point for Tucson. When they were ap- 
proaching the ^"Picacho Pealc/^ the Indian scouts brought 
in information that a detachment of the rebels ?6"as in 
the immediate front. The detachment was ordered to 
make a wide detour, so as to strike them in the flank, 
while Calloway, with the main party, were to attack in 
front. The enemy were not found in the immediate 
front, but after traveling several miles, on April 15tli, 
1862, rapid firing was heard in advance, and arriving 
upon the spot it was found that Lieutenant P>arrett had lo- 
cated the rebels picket, and the first intimation they had of 
results was that Lieutenant ]>arrett and two men were kill- 
ed, and three were wounded. The rebel loss was two men 
woimdcd, and three were taken prisoners. The graves of 
the killed, the Union Lieutenant and the men, may now 
be seen within twenty feet of the California Southern 
Pacific Eailroad, as it goes through "Picacho Pass." The 
Union force l)ivoucked on the ground that night, and the 
next day, Calloway having lost his head, ordered a return 
to be made, against the protests of all his officers. This 
party was met near Stanwix Station by Ctjlonel West and 
the ^'advance detachment." and all i)roceeded forward to 
the Pima villages. 

A permanent camp was established at the Pinui villages 
and an earth work was thrown up about the flour mill of 
Ammi White, who had been carried away, a prisoner, 
by the rebels a few weeks before. This earth work was 
named Fort Barrett, in honor of the lieutenant who had 
been killed in the skirmish at the Picachd Pass. It re- 
quired several weeks for the "Column" to get to this 
point, as only detachments of not over four companies 
could move over the route through Southern California 
and through the entire length of Arizona, within twenty- 
four hours of each other, on account of the scarcity of 
water. On the loth of May, Colonel West and his advance 
detachment moved out of the Pima villages for Tucson. 
They left the overland route at the Sacatone Station, going 
via White's Eanch, through the '^'Casas Grandes." Pattle- 
snake Springs, and arrived at old Fort Brcckenridge, near 
the confluence of the Gila and San Pedro ri\ers, where 
the American flag was run up again, on the fiag staff of 



THK CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 11 

the fort, amid the hurrahs of the men, and the field music 
playing the "Star Spangled Banner." At this point the 
Pima Indian herders, who had been employed to drive 
along the live stock of the command, and some others who 
had been employed as scouts, refused to go any further, 
and demanded their pay of the quartermaster. They as- 
serted that the command was too small to take Tucson; 
that they were greatly outnumbered by the rebels, and 
besides, there were rifle pits fully manned, more than a 
mile in length to be overcome. They were allowed to re- 
turn home. The command encamped that night in the 
"Canon de Oro." The next day. May 19th, a short march 
of fifteen miles was made, and the party encamped with- 
in ten miles of Tucson. x\n early reveille on the morning 
of the 20th, and the command moved forward with a light 
step. When it had arrived within two miles of the town, 
CaptainEmil Fritz, Company B,lstCavalry was sent forward, 
the first platoon to make a detour and come in on the 
east side of the town ; the second platoon, under Lieutenant 
Juan Francisco Guirado, afterwards aide-de-camp on the 
staff of Brigadier General Joseph E. West, in New Mexico. 
and later in Arkansas and Missouri, since deceased, was to 
charge in on the north side, while the four companies 
of infantry were to move directly on the road, and come 
in at the west side of the town. The programme was com- 
pletely carried out, as the three parties came on to the 
plaza of Tucson at the same moment, the cavalry at a 
charge, and the infantry on the double quick, but found 
no enemy. In fact, there was no enemy, nor were there 
any people, the only living things found within the lim- 
its of the town, were an unsuspected number of dogs and 
cats. The rebels, before they had hurriedly left, had pub- 
licly announced that the "Abs" would soon take the fair 
city, which would then be given over to the ravages of a 
brutal soldiery. The rebels retreated to the Eio Grande 
accompanied by a nimiber of desperadoes, amongst whom 
was the notorious Judge ( ?) Ed. McGowan, of San Fran- 
cisco, of ^^^igilante Days" fame, who were also rebels at 
heart, while the Mexican population, men, women and 
children, started southward for the Sonora line. Good 
quarters were foimd here for the troops, and it required 



12 THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 

two months time, or until Jiily 20th, to get tlie "Column" 
assembled here, with food and forage enough to make 
another start. Everything, except a small amount of 
M'lieat, whicli was purchased of the Pima Indians, was 
l)rought by teams from Southern California, via Fort 
Yuma, a distance of several hundred miles. Xo forage or 
food could be liad in or about Tucson, and the men could 
oat nearly as much as. tlie few trains could l)ring up. Xo 
news had been received from the Eio Grande since the 
column had commenced its march from California. Sev- 
eral express parties had been sent forward to open com- 
uiunieations with General Canliy, but none had ever return- 
4'(1. On June lotli. a party of tlirce persons, consisting of 
Sergeant William Wheeling, Company F, 1st Infantry, ex- 
])ressman John Jones, and a ]\Iexica.n guide named Chaves, 
left Tucson with dispatches for General Canby, written on 
tissue paper. It was afterwards learned that this party was 
attacked by Apache Indians fis they were emerging out of 
tlie Apache Pass, on the ISth : Chaves was killed at the 
iirst fire and Sergeant Wheeling was seriously wounded, 
he soon fell from his horse, and was immediately dis- 
]iatched. Their bodies were afterwards found horribly 
mutilated, diseudwweled and '"spread-eagled'' — fires hav- 
ing l)een built over them, and were filled with arrows, 
after the manner of "John Apache." Years afterwards 
the same fate fell to Jones. Jones escaped almost by 
a miracle, and getting through the Indians, who followed 
him for a long distance, he succeeded after a ride of over 
two hundred miles, in reaching the Eio Grande, at Pica- 
cho, a small village about five miles above Mesilla. Here 
he was taken ])risoner l)y the rebels, who brought him be- 
fore Colonel William Steele, who examined him, took his 
dispatches, and threw him into jail. He managed, however, 
t<^ get word to General Canity that he was there, and that 
the "California Column" was really coming, an achieve- 
ment that was considered absolutely impracticable. 

On the 21st of June, a strong reconnoitering party of 
cavalry, imder Lieutenant Colonel Eyre, left Tucson for the 
Eio Grande. After a hard march they arrived at old Fort 
Thorn on Julv 4th, which tbev found abandoned ])v the 



THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 13 

rebels. Here lie was reinforced by a squadron of the 3rd 
U. S. Cavalry, imder Captain Howla.nd, and would have 
proceeded to attack the rebels at Mesilla, but was obliged 
to forego that pleasure, by peremptory orders from Colonel 
Chivington, 1st Colorado Volunteers, at Fort Craig, who 
was in command of the southern military district of New 
Mexico, and who was acting under General Canby's orders, 
as Colonel Steele greatly feared he would be overtaken by 
the California troops, and in his hurried retreat burned 
a number of his wagons, and destroyed a large amount 
of ammunition. The rebel forces were so disheartened 
and so thoroughly disorganized, that, liad they been at- 
tacked by even a snudl force, they would have at once sur- 
rendered. 

On July 9th Captain Thomas L. Eoljerts. with his Co. E. 
1st Infantry, and Captain Cremoney's Company B, 2nd 
Cavalry, and two mountain howitzers, under command of 
Lieutenant William A. Thompson, 1st Infantry, left Tuc- 
son for Rio de Sauze, where they were to establish a camp, 
having with them rations and forage for Colonel Eyre's 
command, in case the}^ were forced hack l)y the Texans. 
When this command reached Apache Pass, (now Fort 
Bowie), they were attacked by a large force of Apache 
warriors, under the leadership of ^T'ochise," the Indians 
having possession of the water at that point. After a stuli- 
born contest, in which both trails of the mountain howit- 
zers were broken, in elevating the pieces to reach the In- 
dians upon the hill where the spring was. the Indians were 
forced to retire, with a loss of nine killed, while the troops 
suffered a loss of two killed and two wounded. 

On the 20th of July Colonel West, with Com])anies B. 
Captain Valentine Dresher, C, Captain William Mc^Iullin. 
and K. Lieutenant George H. Pettis, 1st Infantry, and 
Company G. Cajitain Hugh L. Hinds, otli Infantry left 
Tuson for the Rio Grande. On the 21st. a second com- 
mand, consisting of Lieutenant John B. Sliinn"s Light 
Battery A, :5rd V. S. Artillery, and Com])any A. Cap- 
tain Edward B. Willis. 1st Infantry and Com- 
])any B. Cajitain Charles A. Smith, oth Infantry, 
left Tucson for the same destination, under command of 



14 THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 

faptain Willis. On the 23rd, Lieutenant Colonel Edwin 
A. rjigg, with a third command, consisting of Companies I, 
Captain William Calloway, F, Captain Washington L. 
Parvin, D. Captain Francis S. Mitchell, and H. Captain 
Lafayette Hammond all of the 1st Infantry, 
followed. Each of these detachments had subsistence for 
thirty days, with a full supply of entrenching tools. Up 
to the time of the arrival of the troops at Tucson, the 
infantry had packed their knapsacks the entire march, a 
nc'table acliievement, considering the nature of the coun- 
try — and its lack of resources — through which they liad 
so far marched, and the fearful lieat and thirst which 
they had encountered. 

General Orders, No. 10, "Headquarters of the Column 
from California, dated Tucson. July 17th, 1862," con- 
tained the following paragraphs : 

••'10. Tliat every soldier may move forward with a 
liglit. free step, now that we approach the enemy, he 
will no longer be required to carry his knapsack. 

"11. This is the time when every soldier in this column 
looks forward with a confident hope that, he, too, will 
have the distinguished honor of striking a blow for the 
old Stars and Stripes ; when he, too, feels in his heart 
that he is the champion of the lioliest cause that has ever 
yet nerved tlic arm of a patriot. The general commanding 
ihe 'Column' desires that such a time shall be remem- 
bered by all, l)ut more particularly by those who, from 
their guilt, have been so unfortunate on such an occasion. 
He therefore orders that all soldiers under his command, 
who may be held in confinement, shall be at once relieved." 

The troops had been in Tucson for two months, from 
]Vtay 20th, to July 20th. After the first alarm, upon the 
arrival of the Union troops, scouts were sent forward to- 
wards the Sonora line, and the Mexican residents re- 
turned to their homes. A number of American despera- 
does also put in an appearance. A num])er of these were 
arrested l)y General Carleton who, in a letter to General 
Wright at San Francisco, said, under date of Tucson, June 
10th, 1862 : "I shall send to Fort Yuma, for confinement, 
starting them today, nine of the cut-throats, gamblers, 
and loafers, who liave infested this town to the great 



THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 15 

1)ndily fear of all good citizens. Nearly every one, I l)e- 
lieve, has either killed his man or been engaged in helping 
to kill him.''' * 

*I have always believed that General C!arleton wanted mo 
killed, for ho put this detachment imder my command to 
escort them to the Pima villages, a distance of nearly 
two hundred miles, and gave me a cavalry detachment of 
ten men, the worst disciplined ones I ever met. The first 
night out, Avhen I was encamped at the "Point of Rocks," 
an express arrived from Colonel West, then in command at 
Tucson, in which I was informed that my prisoners had 
si'ated before we left that point, that they wpuld never be 
taken through alive, and cautioning me to be ever on 
the alert, or I Avould not get through. Carleton did not 
send me for the honor. He was much surprised when I 
returned safe, but not as much as I was. Gr. H. P. 

Sylvester J. Mowry, of Ehode Island, who had been an 
officer in the U. S. Army, was living near Tucson, at the 
Patagonia Mine, and being an uncompromising rebel, was 
arrested, examined by a military commission, was sent 
down to Fort Yuma at this time. Tucson soon became a 
cleanly and model town, and the long rest here repaid the 
command for the many days of previous mareliing. 

General Carleton, with headquarters of the ''California 
Column" arrived at Fort Thorn, on August 7th, and im- 
mediately communicated with General Canby. The l)alance 
of the "Column" arrived on the Rio Grande in detaeh- 
ments, as they had left Tucson, one day apart, and by 
the 15th, Mesilla was made the headquarters of the Dis- 
trict of Arizona, and had as a garrison companies B, C, 
D and K, 1st Infantry, and Company A, 5th Infantry. 
Shinn's Liglit Battery A, 3rd U. S. Artillery, Companies A 
and E, 1st Infantry, B, 5th Infantry, Band D, 1st Cavalry, 
and B, 2nd Cavalry, were sent as a garrison to Fort Fill- 
more, opposite to and about three miles from Mesilla. 
Shinn's battery being shortly afterwards sent to the "Cot- 
tcnwoods" about 25 miles south of Fort Fillmore, to re- 
cruit their horses. Company A, 1st Infantry, was sent to 
Franklin, Texas, (now El Paso), to take care of Simeon 
Hart's flour mill and look out for the "mail carrier" of the 
rebels — the notorious "Captain Skillman." afterwards kill- 



1(5 THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 

ed by Captain Albert H. French, at Spencer's Ranch, near 
Presidio del Norte, April 15th, 1864, on the Rio Grande, in 
an attempt to carry the rebel mail into Texas. All the 
regular troops were soon relieved and sent up to Fort 
Craig, and the Calif ornians proceeded to Forts Quitman, 
Bliss, and Davis, in Texas, and hauled up the Union Flag. 
The Southern Overland Mail Route had been opened 
and the United States military ]x)sts in Arizona, South- 
ern New Mexico, and Northwestern Texas, had been re- 
occupied by troops composing the "California Cohimn." 
General Carlcton in liis report to Assisitant Adjutant Gen- 
eral Drum, of the Department of California, under date of 
September 20th, 18G2, said : '^"It was no fault of the 
troops from California that the Confederate^ forces fled 
before them. It is but just to say that their having thus 
fled is mainly attributed to the gallantry of the troops 
under General Canl)y"s command. That they were hurried 
in their flight, by the timely arrival of the advance guard 
of. the "California Column" under Lieutenant Colonel Eyre 
there cannot be a doubt. The march from tlic Pacific to the 
Rio Grande ])y the "California C*olumn" was not accom- 
plished without immense toil and great hardships, or with- 
out many privations and miich suffering from heat and 
want of water." 

"The marcli of tbe 'Column from California" in tlie 
summer months, across tbe great desert in tlie driest 
season that has been known for thirty years, is a military 
achievement creditable to the soldiers of tbe American 
army; but it would not be just to attribute the success 
01 this march to any ability on my ])art. That success 
was gained only l)y the high physical and moral energies 
of that ])eculiar cla.ss of officers and men who composed 
the 'C^alifornia Column.' With any otbor troops I nin 
sure T should have failed. 

"1 send you a set of colors wbicb baxc been l)ornc by 
this column. Tliey were hoisted by Colonel West over Forts 
P»reckenridge and Buchanan, and over Tucson ])y Colonel 
Eyre over Forts Thorn and Fillmore, and over Mesilla. 
New Mexico; and over Fort Bliss in Texas. They were 
hoisted by Ca])tain Cremoncy ovei- Fort (Quitman, and l)y 



THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN, 17 

Captain Shirland over Fort Davis in Texas, and thus again 
have those places been consecrated to our beloved country." 

On the 18tli of September, 1863, General Carleton as- 
sumed command of the Department of New Mexico, Gener- 
al Canby having been ordered east by the War Department, 
the "Column" was soon distributed throughout the De- 
partment, and active operations commenced against the 
hostile Indians — the Apaches and the ISTavajoes. Treason 
was at a discount in New Mexico, and no treasonable ut- 
terances were allowed; when anything of this kind was 
attempted, it resulted in the person being immediately 
arrested, confined in the guard house, and tried by a mili- 
tary commission. The most incorrigiible of this class of 
persons, was Samuel J. Jones, the well known pro-slavery 
sheriff at Lecompton, Kansas, in 1857 and '58. Upon the 
advent of Colonel Baylor's forces in 1861, he was the post- 
sutler at Fort Fillmore, owning a fine estate at Mesilla. 
and during the rebel occupation of the territory he was 
constantly in hot water with the rebels, but not on account 
of political matters, however, as he was an imadulterated 
fire-eater. After the "Column" arrived in the District 
of New Mexico, Jones was brought up in the guard-house 
about once a month upon an average. 

When General Carleton assumed command of the Depart- 
ment of New Mexico he relinquished the immediate com- 
mand of the "California Column" and published the fol- 
lowing order: 

Headquarters of the Department of New Mexico, 

Santa Fe, N. M., Sept. 31st. 1863. 
Gen. Orders 

No. 85. 

In entering upon the duties that remove him from im- 
mediate association with the troops constituting the 
"Column from California," the Commanding General de- 
sires to express his grateful acknowledgment of the con- 
duct and services of the officers and men of that command. 
Traversing a desert country, that has heretofore been re- 
garded as impracticable for the operations of large bodies 
of troops, they have reached their destination and accom- 
plisbed the ol)joet assigned tbom. not only without loss 



18 THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 

of any kind, but improved in discipline, in morale, and in 
every other element of efficiency. That patient and cheer- 
ful endurance of hardsliips, the zeal and alacrity with 
which they have grappled with, and overcome obstacles 
that would have been insurmountable to any but troops 
Or the highest physical and moral energy, the complete 
abnegation of self, and subordination of over}-^ personal 
consideration, to the great object of our hopes and efforts, 
give the most absolute assurance of success in any field 
or against any enemy. 

California has reason to be proud of the sons she has 
sent across the continent to assist in the great struggle in 
which our country is now engaged. The Commanding 
Oeneral is requested by the officer who preceded him in 
the command of this department, to express for him the 
gratification felt by every officer and soldier of his com- 
mand at the fact that troops from the Atlantic and Pacific 
slope, from the mountains of California and Colorado, 
acting in the same cause, inspired by the same duties, 
and animated by the same hopes, have met and shaken 
hands in the center of this great continent. 

(Signed) JAMES H. CAELETOX, 

Brigadier General IT. S. Volunteers, Commanding Depart- 
ment. 

During the years of '63 and '64 there were continual 
reports that the rebels in Texas were organizing expedi- 
tions to retake New Mexico and Arizona, which required 
a large force to be kept in the southern part of the terri- 
tory. They were, however, kept busy against the Apaches 
and skirmishes were numerous, and the duty very hard 
on account of long distances between water. Among the 
memorable events in 1863, was the taking of the cele- 
brated Apache chief "Mangus Colorado,' (The Eed Sleeve) 
and his being killed by Captain E. D. Shirland's Company 
C, 1st Cavalry. The old chief had been taken prisoner in a 
skirmish, and was confined in a Sibley tent at old Fort 
McLean, near the Mimbres river, in January, 1863. The 
guard had strict orders that if he attempted to escape, to 
shoot him. In the early morning the soldier on guard in 
rear of the tent, saw ^'Mangus" rise up from the tent and 



THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN, 16 

started to run. He raised his carbine, fired, and the scoun- 
drel fell dead in his tracks. He had committed so many 
nmrders and outrages that the question of whether or not 
he really attempted to escape, was never satisfactorily set- 
tled — probably on the score that "the only good Indian 
in a dead one." The other event was the expedition 
against the ISTavajos, under the command of Colonel Kit 
Carson, and of which Captain Asa B. Carey, 13th U. S. In- 
fantry, who was since Paymaster General of the U. S. Army 
but now retired, was chief commissary of subsistence, 
was general aid and military adviser, in which Companies 
B and D, 1st California Cavalry, and Companies H and 
K, 1st California Infantry, took part. ■. Company G, 1st 
Infantry, Captain Henry A. Greene, establisihed on July 
3rd, 1863, Fort McRea, at the "Ojo del Muerto," about two 
miles west of the "Jornado del Muerto," and there the cap- 
tain gained much credit for his constant and repeated con- 
flicts with the Indians. The ISTa.vajo expedition, by July, 
1864, had been successful in capturing over 9,000 of the In- 
dians, and they were taken to Fort Sumner, ("Bosque Ee- 
dondo") on the Pecos river, about five hunrded miles from 
their own home. These Indians were completely whipped in 
to subjugation, all of their crops and plantings were de- 
stroyed, and all of their stock captured. They were taken 
liack to their old homes in 1868, and they have never been 
01) the war ])ath since. A large number of the "Column" 
were stationed at Fort Sumner guarding these prisoners. 

During the year 1863, there were three commissioned 
officers killed and four wounded ; fourteen enlisted men 
Avere killed and twenty-one wounded. Three hundred and 
one Indians were killed, eighty-seven wounded and seven 
hundred and three taken prisoners. During 1864 there 
were the usual number of skirmishes, and the N'avajo 
war was completed. 

Some of the "Column" was in the cele])rated "Sand 
Creek Fight," which took place north of the Canadian 
river near "Bent's Old Fort." Company K, 1st Infantry and 
Companies D and B, 1st Cavalrv% were as far east as Fort 
Dodge, Kansas, escorting trains. In Carson's fight with the 
Comanche and Kiowa Indians, November 25th, on the 



20 THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 

Canadian river, at the Adobe Walls, the "Column" was 
represented by detachments from Company B, Captain 
Emil Fritz, 1st Cavalry, and Company K, 1st Infantry, 
Lieutenant George H. Pettis. Major William McCleave, 
1st Cavalry, was second in command. 

During this year there was one commissioned officer 
killed, and two wounded, six enlisted men killed, and 
twenty- three wounded. Three hundred and sixty-three 
Indians were killed, one hundred and forty wounded. 
Eight thousand and ninety-three were taken prisoners 
in the Department of New Mexico. 

Nine companies of the 1st California Infantry, and the 
five original companies of the 1st California Cavalry, were 
discharged in August and September, 1864, their term of 
service having expired. On January 30th, 1865, John 
Wilson, the last enlisted man of Company K, the tenth 
company of the 1st California Infantry, was discharged. 
On February 15th, Liutenant George H. Pettis, of said 
Company K. was mustered out at Santa Fe, New Mexico, 
by Captain Asa B. Carey, Thirteenth United States In- 
fantry, Chief Mustering Officer, when the record of the 
"California Column'^ ceased. 



HISTORY. 



Paragraphical and historical sketches of officers and 
soldiers of the California Column. 

The biographical sketches of officers and enlisted men 
of the California Column and the photographs accompany- 
ing them were furnished by Captain George H. Pettis, at 
present State Sealer of Weights and Measures of the state 
of Ehode Island with residence at Providence, and were 
also obtained from official sources. They are the most 
complete and the best obtainable at this time and the His- 
torical Society is under great obligations to Captain George 
H. Pettis for his excellent work and very timely aid in 
securing them for the archives and publications of the 
society. The sketches were edited by Max. Frost, treas- 
urer of the society. 



JAMES H. CAELETOK 

Late Brevet Major General United States Volunteers 
in Command. 

James H. Carleton was appointed second lieutenant. 
First United States Dragoons, October 18, 1839 ; promot- 
ed to be first lieutenant March 17, 1845; promoted to be 
captain February 16, 1847; breveted major, February 23, 
1847, for gallant and meritorious conduct at Buena Vista, 
Mexico, and was appointed major Sixth United States 
Cavalry, September 7, 1861. He was commissioned as 
colonel First California Infantry Volunteers and is rec- 
ognized by the War Department as having been in the 
military service of the United States in that grade and 
organization from August 7, 1861. He was appointed 
brigadier general of the United States Volunteers April 
38, 1863, which appointment he accepted on the same day; 
was breveted lieutenant colonel and colonel in the regular 
army March 13, 1865, for meritorious services in New 
Mexico; breveted brigadier general in the regular army 




JAMES H. CARLETON, 
Brigadier General U. S. Volunteers, Commandina- 



THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 23 

on the same day for gallant and meritorious services in 
the Northwest and was breveted major general of the Uni- 
ted States Volunteers on the same day for meritorious ser- 
vices during the war. He was honorably mustered out of 
the volunteer service April 30, 1866; was promoted to 
be lieutenant colonel, Fourth United States Cavalry, July 
31, 1866. He died January 7, 1873. From October 14th, 
1861, to May 15, 1862, he was in command of the district 
of Southern California; thence to August 14, 1862, in 
command of the Column from California; thence to Sep- 
tember 5, 1862, in command of the district of Arizona; 
thence to September 18, 1862, in command in the field; 
thence to September 12, 1865, in command of the depart- 
ment of New Mexico; thence to April 30, 1866, in com- 
mand of the district of New Mexico. This officer stated 
that he was born in Eastport, Maine, but did not report 
to the War Department the date of his birth. 

The records on file in the War Department concerning 
this ofiicer are purely of a military character and contain 
no information relative to this officer prior to his entry 
into service. 

General Carletou also served with his regiment while 
a captain in New Mexico during the years of 1855, 1856, 
and 1857, and engaged in numreous skirmishes and ex- 
peditions against the Apaches, Navajos and Utes. A few 
of the old timers still alive in the Territory remember 
him kindly and speak of him very highly as a gallant 
and successful Indian fighter. 

His army record is one of the best among the officers 
of the "old army" before the war. 

General Carleton was a Free Mason and a member of 
Montezuma Lodge No. 1 of that order in the City of San- 
ta Fe and was made an Entered Apprentice April 22, 
1856, a Fellow Craft April 25, 1856, and a Master Miison 
April 29, 1856, and remained a member of the lodge xm- 
til his demitted November 24, 1860. Upon his return to 
Santa Fe as a commanding general of the Department of 
New Mexico he affiliated with Montezuma Lodge August 
1, 1863, and remained a member thereof until his demise. 



V 




ASA B. CAREY, 
Brigadier General U. S. Army, Retired. 



THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 25 

ASA B. CAEEY. 

Brigadier General, U. S. Army, Retired. 

Is a native of the state of Connecticut, and was appoint- 
ed to the West Point Militar}^ Academy from "that state 
July 1, 1854; breveted second lieutenant Sixth U. S. In- 
fantry- July 1, 1858 ; appointed second lieutenant, Seventli 
U. S. Infantry October 22, 1858; promoted first lieutenant 
Thirteenth U. S. Infantry May 14, 1861 ; appointed cap- 
tain Thirteenth IT. S. Infantry October 24, 1861; appoint- 
ed major and paymaster October 5, 1867 ; lieutenant col- 
onel deputy paymaster general March 27, 1895 ; colonel 
assistant paymaster general June 10, 1898 ; brigadier gen- 
eral paymaster general, January 30, 1899 ; retired from 
active service July 12, 1899. 

While serving in the Seventh U. S. Infantry Lieuten- 
ant Carey marched with his regiment from Utah to New 
Mexico, the march consuming four months, namely: The 
months of May, June, July and August, 1860. The four 
months were full of hardships and severe duty as may 
well be imagined when the conditions of the country 
through which the regiment marched at that time are tak- 
en into consideration. 

From April, 1860, to September, 1861, he participated 
with his company in an expedition against the ISTavajos in 
'New Mexico and Arizona, under the command of Lieuten- 
ant Colonel Edward E. S. Canby, during which the com- 
mand did much scouting and fighting. After the expedi- 
tion returned Lieutenant Carey served as depot quarter- 
master at Albuquerque, then as depot quartermaster at 
Fort Union during the winter of 1861-62. 

In March and April, 1862, he was in command of two 
companies of infantry and a battery of mountain howitzers 
which command formed a part of the force under the com- 
mand of Major J. M. Chivington, which attacked the rear 
o-uard of the Confederates constituted of Texas volunteers 
at the battle of Apache Pass, or "Glorieta," March 28, 1862. 
The battalion under the command of the then Captain Car- 
ey captured the rear guard of the Confederates, and de- 
stroyed the enemy's train and supplies of every kind. This 



26- THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 

brilliant feat of arms compelled the Confoderatesi to retire 
in a hurry upon their base of supplies in Santa Fe, the capi- 
tal, about twenty-five miles to the south of Apache Pass. 
From there the Confederate force under the command of 
General Sibley retired south towards Texas, and evacuated 
the northern part of New Mexico. Captain Carey was 
then ordered back to Fort Union, and resumed duty as 
depot commissary and quartermaster at that fort. 

Upon the creation of the eastern district of New Mexico 
he was appointed to the command of all the troops in the 
district, wliich contained all of the Territory of New Mex- 
ico east of the Pecos river, with headquarters at Fort 
Union. 

Indians Avere plentiful and warlike. A number of suc- 
cessful expeditions by the troops under his command oc- 
curred at various dates during the time lie was the com- 
manding oflRcer. 

He was then assigned to duty as chief quartermaster 
in the 1863 campaign against the hostile Navajos and 
Apaches under the command of Colonel Christopher Car- 
son, afterwards brigadier general U. S. Volunteers, and was 
with General Carson's force until May 1864. He was de- 
tailed by General Carson, who had been promoted to briga- 
dier general, to take the first detachment of Navajo pris- 
oners and locate them on the reservation set apart for them 
a*". Fort Sumner, on the Pecos river. Part of the time he 
was also in command of the expeditionary force, in the Na- 
vajo campaign, which transported over 9,000 Navajo pris- 
oners, men, women and children from their reservation in 
western New Mexico and eastern Arizona to their new 
reservation at Fort Sumner, on the Pecos river. 

After the close of the Navajo campaign he served as 
chief quartermaster of the Department of New Mexico, 
with headquarters in Santa Fe. During the winter of 1864- 
65 he was assigned to duty as chief mustering officer for 
the Department of New Mexico, and in that capacity had 
charge of the mustering out of all of the U. S. volunteers, 
consisting of New Mexico Infantry and Cavalry regiments, 
and California Infantry and Cavaliy regiments. After 
the close of the war lie was ordered to Washington 
to settle his accounts. 



THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 27 

After his appointment as major and paymaster he per- 
formed another tour of duty in New Mexico, namely: as 
chief paymaster of the district of New Mexico, stationed 
at Santa Fe. This, however, was not as arduous and as 
dangerous as his tours of duty in Indian campaigns, and 
against the Confederate forces commanded by General 
Sibley. 

He was stationed in the city of Santa Fe as chief pay- 
master from 1868 to 1874, and thereafter ordered to duty 
in the office of the paymaster general in Washington, Avhich 
closed his military career in the Sunshine Territory. 

He was breveted major for conspicuous gallantry at the 
battle of Apache Pass, March 28, 18G2. Also breveted 
lieutenant colonel for gallant and meritorious services in 
the war with the hostile Navajo Indians. 

Eetired by operation of law July 12, 1899, with the 
rank of brigadier general and pa5anaster general of the 
army. 

General Carey made a gallant record during his six 
years of service in this Territory, and justly attained the 
reputation of a very meritorious officer and able com- 
mander. Many of the old soldiers still alive in New Mexi- 
co remember him fondly and kindly, at the date of this, 
March 1st, 1908. 



WILLIAM LOGAN EYNERSON. 

Late Captain First California Volunteer Infantry and 
Captain and Assistant Quartermaster United States Vol- 
imteers. 

William Logan Eynerson was bom in Hardin county, 
Kentucky, a few miles from the birthplace of Abraham 
Lincoln, the martyred president of the United States, in 
CfjiA- X, IsM. He was raised on a farm and in early life engaged 
in the raising of blooded horses and cattle. In the latter 
fifties the California fever seized him and he emigrated to 
the then "Land of Gold," tramping it across the plains 
and mountains of Nebraska, Utah and Nevada. The hard- 
ships were many but he stood them manfully. 

He then engaged in mining and for a while managed 



28 



THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 



a butcher shop in one of the mining camps, studying law 
at the same time. 

When the First California Volunteer Infantry was or- 
ganized at San Francisco he enlisted and was made first 
sergeant of Company C of the regiment, January 1st, 
1862. He was promoted to second lieutenant of Company 




WILLIAM LOGAN RYNERSON. 

Late Brevet Colonel U. S. Volunteers, Captain 1st California 

Volunteer Infantry. 

B, of the regiment, vice Second Lieutenant George H. Pet- 
tis, promoted, February 5, 1862. 

April 16, 1862, he was promoted to first lieutenant of 
Company B, of the same regiment. He was appointed ad- 
jutant of the regiment shortly thereafter and served faith- 
fully and efficiently in that capacity until August 9, 1864, 
when he reeivcd a captaincy in the regiment. 

Early in 1865 he was transferred to the staff as captain 



THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 29 

and assistant quartermaster of volunteers and served as 
such until mustered out in 1866. Upon his muster out 
he settled in Mesilla, Dona Ana county, shortly thereafter 
moving to Las Cruces, the town then started two miles 
north of Mesilla. 

He was admitted to the bar and commenced the prac- 
tice of law in Las Cruces. 

While in Santa Fe, sening as a member of the legisla- 
tive assembly from the county of Dona Ana, an altercation 
ensued between him and Chief Justice John D. Slough of the 
Supreme Court of New Mexico. Judge Slough had been a 
colonel in command of the regiment of Colorado Volunteers 
that participated in the battle of "Apache Pass or Glorieta," 
March 28, 1862. 

Judge Slough and Colonel E}Tierson, the latter having 
since been breveted as colonel of volunteers for gallant and 
meritorious services during the war, were both fearless and 
brave men. Judge Slough while in the billiard room 
of the Fonda Hotel, then the principal stopping place 
and leading caravansery between Kansas City and 
West Port, in Missouri, and San Francisco, Cali- 
fornia, made very bitter and slurring remarks concerning 
Colonel Eynerson which were reported to the latter. In 
those days everybody who coidd afford it in the Southwest 
carried a pistol. Colonel Eynerson went to the Fonda, 
called upon Judge Slough to retract and as the story goes, 
Judge Slough instead of doing so endeavored to put his 
hand behind his back, to draw a Derringer he carried. At 
that moment Colonel Eynerson pulled his pistol and shot 
him dead. This happened on the 15 day of December, 1867. 

There was testimony adduced to the fact that Judge 
Slough had a Derringer pistol in his hand which he put 
behind his l)ack. 

A coroner's jury investigated the affair and fully exon- 
erated Colonel E^Tierson. Thereafter Colonel EvTierson 
became a prominent citizen. He was an influential politi- 
cian and enjoyed a good practice as a lawyer until tlie 
time of his death wbich occurred Jul v 4, lOOJl. jdiOy^ Z i ' / 1 j ^ 

He was prominent in the Masonic order and attained 
the thirtv-second deffree of Scottish Eite Free ifasonry 



30 THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 

and had served the Grand Lodge of New Mexico as second 
Grand Master in 1879. He was also a member of Santa 
Fe Chapter No. 1, Eoyal Arch Masons and of Santa Fe 
Commandery No. 1, Knights Templar. He had attained a 
.'i2nd degree Master of the Royal Secret, in the Ancient and 
Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, for the Southern 
Jurisdiction of the United States; was a member of the 
Santa Fe Lodge of Perfection No. 1. 

He was a member of the constitutional convention of 
New Mexico in 1889 and had served several times as ter- 
ritorial district attorney of his district and as a member 
of the legislative council and the House of Representa- 
tives of the New Mexico assembly. 

As a man, as a citizen, as an official and as a soldier he 
made a splendid record. In the Masonic fraternity he 
assumed a high position on account of his loyalty and zeal 
as a Free Mason. His remains were l)uried with IMasonic 
honors in the Masonic cemetery at Las Cruces. 



GEORGE HENRY PETTIS. 

Brevet Captain United States Volunteers, First Lieuten- 
ant Company K, First California Tolunteer Infantry. 

George Henry Pettis Avas born at Pawtucket, R. I.. 
March 17th, 1834; at the age of twelve years entered the 
office of the Advertiser, a newspaper published at Cohoes, 
New York; in 1849 removed to Providence, R. I., where 
he followed the occupation of printer until 1854, when he 
Avent to California, arriving at San Francisco on June 17th, 
of that year, on the steamer Brother Jonathan, via Nicar- 
agua; he was engaged in mining in the vicinity of Gar- 
rote, Tuohimne county, from June, 1854, until May, 1858, 
when he arrived at San Francisco en route to Frazer river. 
The Frazor river bubble having collapsed he resumed 
liis occupation as a printer, and was employed upon the 
Alta California and the Morning Call, and held a situation 
o:x the Herald. When President Lincoln made a call upon 
California for troops, he entered the military sei*vice of 
the United States as Second Lieutenant. Company B, 1st 



THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 



31 



California Infantry. He was promoted to First Lieuten- 
ant, Company K, same regiment, January 1st, 1862, com- 
manding the company nearly all of the\ime, until mus- 
tered out on February 15th 1865, when he was immediate- 
ly mustered into the service again as First Lieutenant, 
Company F, 1st New Mexico Volunteer Infantry, Colonel 




CAPTAIN GEORGE H. PETTIS. 
First Regiment California Volunteer Infantry. 

Francisco Paula Abreu. He commanded Company F 
until promoted to Adjutant of the regiment, June 1st, 
1865, and was finally mustered otit, his "^services being no 
longer required,"' September 1st, 1866, having served con- 
tinuously for five years and fifteen daysi. He was in a 
number of skinnishes with Apache and Xavajo Indians; 



32 THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 

breveted Captain U. S. Volunteers, March 13th, 1865, 
"for distinguished gallantry in the engagement at the 
Adobe Wtills, Texas, with the Comanche and Kiowa In- 
diansi," jSTovember 3oth, 1864, in which he commanded 
the Artillery. 

In 1868, he removed from New jNIexico to Providence, 
E. I. ; was a member of the Common Council, from the 
Ninth Ward, from June, 1872, to January 1876 and a 
member of the Ehode Island House of Ro])resentatives in 

1876 and 1877; was "Boarding Officer" of the port of 
Providence from 1878 to 1885; was marine editor of the 
Providence Journal from 1885 to 1887 ; Sealer of Weights 
and Measures and Superintendent of Street Signs and 
Numbers at Providence, Rhode Island from March 10th, 
1891 till 1897. 

He is now State Sealer of Weights, Measures and Bal- 
ances, of the State of Ehode Island, having been appoint- 
ed February 1st, 1901. 

He became a member of the Grand Army of the Eepul)- 
lic, by joining Kit Carson Post No. 1, Department of New 
Mexico, in 1868, and joined Slocum Post, No. 10, Depart- 
ment of Ehode Island by transfer, in 1872. of which post 
he held the offices of Adjutant and Chaplain ; was a char- 
ter member of Arnold Post No. 4, Department of Rhode 
Island, in 1877, of which post he has held the positions 
of Officer of the Day and Senior Vice Commander; was 
Chief Mustering Officer, Department of Ehode Island, in 

1877 and 1879, and Assistant :vrustering Officer in 1890 : 
was a member of the National Council of Administration 
and a Delegate to the Twentieth National Encampment, 
held at San Francisco in 1886. Commander of Arnold 
Post No. 4, Department of Ehode Island, 1897. He .was 
the first president of the "California Volunteer Veterans 
Association," elected at Detroit, Michigan, August, 1891, 
and luis lield the office of Secretary and Treasurer since. 

He became a member of the Military Order of the Loyal 
Legion of the L^nited States, Commandery of California. 
November 10th, 1886. Insignia No. 5065. 

He is a member of the Society of California Volunteers ; 
also of the Society of California Pioneers of New England. 
Is an Honorarv ^Fember of tlie Second Eliode Island Vet- 



THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. • d'fi 

eran Association; Battery B, Veteran Association; Fourth 
Ehode Island Veteran Association; and the Fifth Khode 
Island, and Battery F, Veteran Association. 



JOSEPH F. BENNETT. 

Brevet Lientenant Colonel U. S. A'ohniteers. 

The following biographical sketch of this gallant and 
efficient soldier is taken from the columns of the Mexican 
Herald, published in the City of Mexico, July 9, 1904 : 

Joseph F. Bennett was born in Putnam county, New 
York, November 11th, 1830. He received an education 
afforded by the common schools, and graduated from Mill- 
ville Academy, Orleans county. New York. In 1849 he 
accompanied his parents to Janesville, Wisconsin. 

In 1858 he emigrated to California and British Colum- 
bia, going by the Isthmus of Panama, in which countries 
he was actively engaged in mining until the breaking out 
of the war, when on the call of President Lifiicoln for 5,000 
volimteei*s from California, in August, 1861, Colonel Ben- 
nett aided in raising and organizing the First California 
Infantry Volunteers enlisting as a private in G company 
of that regiment. In the winter of 1861 he was made ser- 
geant major of the regiment, and in April 1863, he was 
commissioned second lieutenant of I company, and assign- 
ed by General James H. Carleton as assistant adjutant 
general of the "Column from California,"' at his head- 
quarters in Santa Fe, N. M. Upon the recommendation 
of General Carleton. and General J. E. West, Lieutenant 
Bennett was commissioned by President Lincoln, captain 
and assistant adjutant general United States Volunteers, 
and was assigned to duty as adjutant general of the dis- 
trict of Arizona. On March, 1864, under orders of the 
secretary of Avar, Captain Bennett reported for duty to 
Major General W. S. Roseerans at St. Louis, Missouri, 
thereafter he participated in the Price campaign and inva- 
sion of Missouri in the autumn of tliat year. During this 
period. Captain Bennett was l)rcveted major and lieutenant 
colonel on the same day by the ]iresident for "gallant and 
meritorious services." 



34 THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 

In May 1865^ Colonel Bennett was sent by General G. M. 
Dodge, then commanding the department of the Missouri, 
into Arkansas to offer terms of surrender to Brigadier Gen- 
eral M. Jeff Thompson, Confederate States Anny, and re- 
ceived the surrender of General Tliompson and paroled his 
command, numbering about 9,000. In the summer and fall 
of 1865, Colonel Bennett accompanied General Dodge in a 
campaign against the Indians in the Northwest, at the time 
of the combined uprising of nearly all of the tribes in the 
western country. In the winter of 1865, at his own re- 
quest, Colonel Bennett was ordered to report at his home 
to await his order of muster-out and was mustered out of 
the service in June, 1866, having served throughout the 
Kebellion. 

Colonel Bennett Avas afterwards commissioned by Presi- 
dent Grant, as vice consul to Chihuahua, Mexico, but, 
having actively engaged in l)usiness in New Mexico, de- 
clined that appointment. Colonel Bennett had served in 
many official capacities in his adopted territory as county 
clerk, clerk of the United States district court, commis- 
sioner of the court of claims, United States commissinoer 
and in 1871-73 was a member of the legislative council. 
He had been identifiod with many of the leading enter- 
prises in the territory, both private and public, and in May, 
1889, was appointed by President Harrison United States 
Indian agent for the Mescalero Apaches. 

Colonel Bennett was married at Las Cruces, New Mexico, 
February 4th, 1864, to Miss Lola Patton, of La Mesilla. 
They had a family of seven children living as the 
fruit of their union. Colonel Bennett was a Koyal Arch 
Mason and a member of Philip Sheridan Post, G. A. R., 
Las Cruces, N. M., and served one term as assistant adju- 
tant general of the Department of New Mexico, Grand 
Army of the Republic. 

Colonel Bennett was appointed vice and deputy consul 
general of the United States in the City of Mexico in Sep- 
tember, 1897, and served as such two years. 

He was the first member of the new society of the Ameri- 
can colony to die since its organization. 



THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 35 

CYRUS H. DE FORREST. 
First Lieutenant, First Colorado Volunteer Infantry. 

Cyrus H. De Forrest entered the service as first lieu- 
tenant First Colorado Infantry, and participated with his 
command in the battle at Apache Pass (or Glorieta) in 




CYRUS H. DeFORREST. 

1862 He served as aide de camp on the stafE of briga- 
dier General James H. Carleton with headquarters at 
Santa Fe during 1863, 1864, 1865 and 1866. He is now 
living at Cleveland, Ohio. 



36 



THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 



GEORGE S. COURTRIGHT. 
Assistant Surgeon U. S. A'^ohmteers. 

George S. Courtright served for three years as post sur- 
geon at Fort Sumner on the Pecos Eiver and was stationed 
there during the time tlie Xavajo Indians were held as 




DR. GEORGE S. COURTRIGHT. 

prisoners on the Fort Sumner reservation. He was also 
surgeon for the campaign in tlie e.\i)edition commanded 
by Brigadier General Christopher Carson (-'Kit Car- 
son") against the Comanclies and Kiowa Indians and was 



engaged at the 
1864. 



cattle of tlie A(hibe Wall.<. November 35, 



THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 37 

BENJAMIN^ C. CUTLEE. 

Adjiitaut, First California Volunteer Infantry. 

Benjamin C. Cutler entered the service as adjutant of 
the First California A'olunteer Infantry, August 15, 1861. 
He served with the regiment in that capacity until he ar- 




BENJAMIN C. CUTLER. 

rived in Xew jMexico when he was appointed by Brigadier 
General James H. Carleton commanding the expedition- 
ary force, as assistant adjutant general of the Department 
of 'New Mexico with the rank of captain, and continued 
in that position until 1866. His death occurred shortly 
thereafter and his remains were interred in the National 
cemetery in Santa Fe. 



38 



THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 



washingto:n" l. pakvin. 

Captain Company F, First California Volunteer Infan- 
try. 

This oflEicer entered the serv'ice upon the organization of 
the regiment at San Francisco, California, August 16, 
1861. He resigned November 26, 1863, at Mesilla, Dona 




WASHINGTON L. PARVIN. 



Ana county ISTew Mexico. He then returned east and now 
lives in Washington where for nine years he has been door- 
keeper at the War Department. 



THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN, 39 

JOHN L. VIVEN. 

Late Brevet Captain U. S. Vohmteers. 

Jolm L. Viven entered the service in November, 1861, 
as a sergeant in Company D, First California Volunteer 
Cavalry. During most of his service he was on duty as 




JOHN L. VIVEN. 

a clerk at the department and district headquarters. He 
was mustered out at Santa Fe, March 15, 1864, to accept 
a second lieutenant's commission in the First New Mexico 
Volunteer Cavalry, and was promoted to first lieutenant 
March 25, 1865. Honorably mustered out April 19, 1866, 
at Santa Fe, New Mexico. Was appointed second lieu- 
tenant 12th U. S. Infantry February 23, 1866; promoted 
to first lieutenant April 5, 1866, and ajipointed regimental 
quartermaster March 6, 1869, which position he filled to 
February 28, 1871. Promoted to captain March 31, 1873. 
Died January 9, 1896. He was breveted captain U. S. 
Volunteers March 2, 1867, for faithful and meritorious 
services during the war. 



40 



THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 



J. B. WHITMORE. 

Late First Lieutenant First California Yolnnteer Infantry. 

Enlisted August IG, ISGL Inunediately appoiutoil 
sirgeant major of the First California A'olunteer Infan- 
ti-y. Was appointed second lieutenant of Company A, of 




LIEUTENANT J. B. WHITMORE. 

the First California Volunteer Infantry, September 5, 
18G1, and first lieutenant, Company G, First California 
Volunteer Infantry, October 25, 18G3. He was with the 
company that was ordered to and cstahlished'Fort McEae 
at the Ojo del Mucrto, the ''Spring of Death," and which 
was located in what is now called McEae Canyon. This 
canyon leading from the Jornado del Muerto to the Eio 
Grande and Fort McEae and the spring are situated about 
one and one-half miles from the river. There his com- 
pany did very good service against hostile Apaches. Lieu- 
tenant Whitmore was mustered out with the regiment after 
its completion of service. He committed suicide at Los 
Angeles, June 21. 1898. 



THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 



41 



JACOB J. EEESE. 

Sergeant Coin])any (\ Fifth California Volunteer In- 
fantry. 

Jacob J. Eeesc ser\ed as a sergeant in Company C, Fifth 
California Volnnteer Infantry during his whole term of 
service. He enlisted in the reg-iment at its organization 




JACOB J. REESE. 

in San Francisco and was mustered out after expiration 
of sei'vice in Xew Mexico. His command was engaged in 
several skirmishes with the Apaches in which he conducted 
liimself with bravery and coolness. He had all the quali- 
ties of a good soldier and was very popular among his 
comrades. He is now spending his old age in peace and 
quiet in Harrisburg. Pemisylvania. 



42 THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 

CHAELES H. WALKER. 

First Sergeant Company K, First California Volunteer 
Infantry. 

Enlisted at San Francisco, November 33, 1861, and was 
assigned to Company K, First California Volunteer In- 
fantry. "Was promoted to first sergeant of his company, 




CHARLES H. WALKER. 

April 38, 1863. Honorably mustered out November 39, 
1864. His record as a soldier is first class. He is now liv- 
ing at Globe, Arizona. He served with the regiment dur- 
ing its entire campaign at stations in Arizona and New 
^lexico. 



THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 



43 



ARTHUR I. LOCKWOOD. 
Corporal Company C, First California Volunteer In- 
fantry. 

Enlisted in the regiment at its organization in San 
Francisco and served with it during its entire service in 
Arizona and New Mexico. He was a fine soldier. 




ARTHUR L. LOCKWOOD. 

He is now a resident of San Antonio, Texas, where he 
hag held the office of mayor of the city, and also has been 
elected several times to the office of alderman. 



44 



THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 

JULIUS C. HALL. 



Enlisted at San Francisco, November 9, 1861, and 
served his fnll term of enlistment, being mustered ont at 
Fort Union, New Mexico, November 29th, 1864. He was 




JULIUS C. HALL. 

an exemplary soldier and served with his regiment in Ari- 
zona and New Mexico, 

He is now a resident of Wallingford, Connecticut, and 
an honored and respected citizen enjoying all the com- 
forts of a well spent life. 



THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN. 

DAY IT) DOOLE. 



45 



Enlisted in e'oiupanv A, First Regiment Califomia 
Infantry at San Francisco, August 15th, 1861. He served 
his full term of enlistment in the regiment. He was with 




DAVID DOOLE. 

his company during its campaign in Arizona and Xew 
^Mexico. He had served before in the regular army in the 
Sixth U. S. Infantr}-, and participated in the expedition 
to Utah in 18()0. He is still alive, hale and hearty and 
a respected citizen of Mason. Texas. 

He is a mem])er of the Fratemity of Ancient Free and 
Accepted Masons, and has held the liighest positions in 
tlio loflo-e in his liomc town. 



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